Gynecology and Obstetrics Specialist Dr. Semavi Ulusoy, who warned against the HPV virus, said, “This virus plays a role in more than 80 percent of cervical cancer cases. It is recommended that girls and boys between the ages of 9-11 be vaccinated for protection.”
Acıbadem Eskişehir Hospital Gynecology and Obstetrics Specialist Dr. Semavi Ulusoy gave information about the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which is very common all over the world, and said that about 40 types of this virus, which has more than 200 types, can cause infections in the genital area and some types can cause warts on the hands, feet, mouth or throat.
Stating that genital HPV types are grouped as “low-risk” or “high-risk” according to the possibility of causing cervical cancer, Dr. Ulusoy said, “Low-risk types can cause genital warts (condyloma). The most common low-risk types are HPV 6 and 11. There are 12 species considered high risk: HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58 and 59. These strains are associated with cervical cancer as well as cancers of the vulva, vagina, anus and penis. HPV 16 and/or 18 are detected in more than 80 percent of cervical cancer cases.”
“The immune system usually cleanses the body in 2 years”
Prof. Dr. Semavi Ulusoy pointed out that the HPV types that cause genital warts are not the same as the types that can cause cancer. However, he stated that if there is a wart, there may be exposure to HPV types that can cause cancer, so careful evaluation is required.
Pointing out that most sexually active people encounter HPV at some stage of their lives, Dr. Ulusoy said, “In nine out of ten cases, the body's immune system clears the HPV infection spontaneously, without any treatment, within two years. Although this situation is more common in low-risk types, it is much rarer in high-risk types.”
“It can occur even years later”
Stating that genital HPV can easily spread through skin contact during sexual intercourse with an infected person and that condoms and other latex barriers used during intercourse cannot completely prevent transmission, Dr. Ulusoy said, “Most people with HPV do not know they have the virus because they do not show symptoms, but they can still transmit the virus to another person. Low-risk types of HPV can cause warts on the vulva (including the lips), vagina or anus, penis, testicles, groin or thighs. Warts, which appear as small skin-colored, pinkish or white blisters, can appear a few weeks, a few months or even years after exposure to HPV,” he said.
“Treatment is determined by the size, location and number of warts”
Explaining that there is no definitive treatment for HPV, but if the warts do not go away on their own, drug treatment or surgical treatment in the form of freezing or burning of large lesions is applied, Dr. Ulusoy said, “If left untreated, genital warts may disappear, remain unchanged, grow in size or increase in number. While the size, location and number of warts are important in the choice of treatment method, changes in warts during treatment, patient preference and side effects of treatment are taken into consideration.”
“It may cause abnormal cell formation”
Pointing out that high-risk strains of HPV cause abnormal cell formation, that is, dysplasia, Dr. Ulusoy stated that the most common location of dysplasia is the cervix, and it is less common in other areas such as the vagina, vulva and anus. Pointing out that dysplasia is not cancer, but it can turn into cancer if left untreated, Dr. Ulusoy said, “For this reason, cells with dysplasia are sometimes called ‘precancerous cells’, that is, precancerous cells. Screening for dysplasia and cervical cancer is vital for detecting and preventing early precancerous changes. A pap smear test is used for diagnosis. An abnormal cervical cancer screening test can be a sign of infection, dysplasia or cancer and should be followed closely. In such cases, colposcopy and biopsy, which examine the cervix more closely, may be needed. The HPV test, in combination with a smear test, can be used to look for high-risk HPV types that can lead to cancer and precancerous conditions.”
“Both girls and boys should be vaccinated”
Underlining that vaccination is essential to protect against HPV, Dr. Ulusoy said, “3 different vaccines have been approved for use between the ages of 9 and 45: This vaccine, known as the double vaccine, provides immunity against HPV 16 and 18. The quadrivalent vaccine is protective against HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18 types. The quadrivalent vaccine includes 5 more high-risk types in addition to the types in the quadrivalent vaccine.”
Mentioning that all doses are recommended before the first sexual contact in order to gain immunity without being exposed to HPV, Dr. Ulusoy said that both girls and boys should be vaccinated at the age of 11 or 12; 2 doses are administered between the ages of 9 and 15, and 3 doses are administered to those over the age of 15. He added that the vaccine protects against the HPV types that cause most cervical cancer and genital warts; however, it does not protect against less common HPV types. Therefore, she reminded that regular gynecological screening is required despite vaccination.
